Press Release
Randolph Communications Recognizes the Town of Bennett as a Smart Rural Community
June 29, 2021
Bennett, NC– Randolph Communications presented the Town of Bennett with a Smart Rural Community (SRC) sign provided by NTCA–The Rural Broadband Association. The Town of Bennett received this recognition because of Randolph Communications’ investment to provide the citizens of Bennett access to Gigabit broadband speeds. SRC is a national network of communities powered by innovative rural broadband providers that are building a brighter future for small-town America. The program promotes rural broadband and its role in supporting innovative economic development, effective education, efficient energy distribution and use, state-of-the-art health care and other important issues for rural America.
In order to receive recognition as a SRC provider, Randolph Communications was required to affirm that it offers 25/3 Mbps broadband to at least 50% of its service area; that it has broadband subscription rates of at least 50%; and that it is committed to program principles of collaboration and innovation. As a result of Randolph Communications’ national recognition, Bennett will now be celebrated as a Smart Rural Community in program materials and online at www.smartruralcommunity.com, joining a national network of similarly innovative communities.
“The town of Bennett salutes Randolph Communications for its hard work to meet these standards, which enable our residents to fully participate in today’s connected society,” said Cindy Jones, President of the Tri-County Ruritan Club of Bennett. “Because of access to high-speed internet, the Town of Bennett provides its residents with educational and economic opportunities on par with those in the most connected regions of America.”
“The town of Bennett salutes Randolph Communications for its hard work to meet these standards, which enable our residents to fully participate in today’s connected society,” said Cindy Jones, President of the Tri-County Ruritan Club of Bennett. “Because of access to high-speed internet, the Town of Bennett provides its residents with educational and economic opportunities on par with those in the most connected regions of America.”
NTCA Chief Executive Officer Shirley Bloomfield also recognized Randolph Communications for this achievement, noting, “We are so excited to welcome another Smart Rural Community provider into this growing network of innovative broadband providers delivering the Internet’s fastest speeds in some of the most remote and rural communities of our country. I applaud Randolph Communications and Bennett, NC for their commitment to enabling cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation and promote economic development in their region and nationwide.”